Ejection device for a movable furniture component

ABSTRACT

Ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body, with a swivellably housed lever. A first castor is attached to the free lever end, and a second castor is attached to the lever at a distance from the free lever end.

This application is a continuation of International application No. PCT/AT2005000227, filed Jun. 24, 2005.

The present invention relates in a first variant to an ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body, with a swivellably housed lever, wherein a first castor is attached to the free lever end.

The state of the art discloses the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,250 B1 relates to an ejection device for a furniture component (door or drawer) housed movable in or against a furniture body, with a swivellably housed lever, wherein a castor is attached to the free lever end.

The subject of EP 1 314 842 A1 is an ejection device for a furniture component (door or drawer) housed movable in or against a furniture body, with a swivellably housed lever, wherein a castor is attached to the free lever end.

EP 1 374 732 A1 relates to an ejection device for a furniture component (drawer) housed movable in or against a furniture body, with an electric drive unit, a control or regulation apparatus to control or regulate the drive unit, and a gear mechanism to transmit power from the drive unit to the ejector.

DE 29 24 145 A1 relates to an ejection device for an oven carriage housed movable in a domestic oven, with a swivellably housed lever (transport lever) and with an electric drive unit (electric motor).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,154 A describes in the embodiment example according to FIG. 10 an ejection device for a draw housed movable in a furniture body (cash dispenser), with a swivellably housed lever and with an electric drive unit (electric motor).

The subject of WO 2004/100718 A1, which enjoys earlier priority, is an ejection device for a furniture component (door or drawer) housed movable in or against a furniture body, with a swivellably housed lever, with an electric drive unit and a control or regulation apparatus to control or regulate the drive unit.

The problem with generic ejection devices is that in most cases the user finds that the starting behaviour of the movable furniture component to which the force of the lever has been applied is extremely sluggish. In order to counter this problem, the drive unit provided for the lever is frequently formed overdimensioned in terms of capacity in order to achieve a rapid initial acceleration of the movable furniture component via the lever. After the initial acceleration of the movable furniture component a much smaller drive capacity would be sufficient in itself.

The object of the invention is to create an ejection device which does not have this problem.

This is achieved according to the invention in that a second castor is attached to the lever at a distance from the free lever end.

A uniform loading of the drive unit driving the lever over the entire ejection distance is achieved by the measure according to the invention. The swivellably housed lever firstly comes into contact with the movable furniture component via the second castor attached to a distance from the free lever end, whereby the torque exerted on the movable furniture component is less than in the case of direct contact with the castor attached to the free lever end. The drive unit, which may comprise an electric motor, is thereby subjected to a smaller torque during the initial acceleration of the movable furniture component. The result of this is a more favorable starting behaviour. The user perceives this as a more responsive initial acceleration of the movable furniture component.

After the initial acceleration of the movable furniture component, the lever comes into contact with the movable furniture component via the first castor attached to the free lever end and can thus exert a greater force on the movable furniture component via the greater torque (due to the longer lever arm). As the inertia of the movable furniture component is already overcome, the drive unit is now, in spite of the greater torque, loaded to approximately the same extent as during the initial acceleration phase. Overall the result is therefore an equal load distribution of the load of the drive unit over the whole of the ejection distance of the movable furniture component.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the second castor is attached to the lever at a distance of approximately half the length of one lever from the free lever end. The result is a distribution, satisfactory in practice, of the load forces acting on the drive unit.

A further, second variant of the invention relates to an ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body with a swivellably housed lever and a drive unit, in particular electric, to drive the lever.

For the user, the operation of such ejection devices is associated with an unpleasant generation of noise. In addition to the initial sound of the impact which results when the swivellably housed lever comes into contact with the movable furniture component, the further operation of the ejection device is also associated with an unpleasant generation of noise.

The object of this variant of the invention is to create a generic ejection device which is characterized by the generation of less noise.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the lever has at least a first lever part and a second lever part, wherein the first lever part can be brought into contact with the movable furniture component and the second lever part can be driven by the drive unit, and the first lever part is coupled, movable to a limited extent, to the second lever part, wherein the first lever part is pre-loaded by an energy accumulator in relation to the second lever part .

The two-part design of the lever results in play between the first and the second lever part. By pre-loading the first lever part in relation to the second lever part the first lever part is pressed against the movable furniture component. The second lever part is forced away from the first lever part by the reaction power, as a result of which the parts of the drive unit in contact with the second lever part are also subjected to stress.

Surprisingly it was shown that this leads to a reduction of the operating noise of the ejection device.

In an advantageous embodiment of this variant of the invention it is provided that the first lever part is pre-loaded by a spring in relation to the second lever part. This represents a structurally particularly simple realization of the measure according to the invention.

A further, third variant of the invention relates to an ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body with a swivellably housed lever to eject the movable furniture component, a drive unit, in particular electric, to drive the lever and a control or regulation apparatus to control or regulate the drive unit.

With such ejection devices the problem arises of how the user can best actuate the ejector. In this regard it is of advantage if the ejection device can be operated as intuitively as possible.

The object of this variant is therefore to create an ejection device which is characterized in that it can be actuated intuitively.

This is achieved according to the invention in that a switch for the actuation of the ejection device is attached to or in the lever, wherein the signals from the switch can be fed at least to the control or regulation apparatus.

The measure according to the invention permits the ejection device to be actuated by pressing the front panel of the movable furniture component into the furniture body. For this, sufficient play must of course remain in the closed end-position of the movable furniture component. As soon as the movable furniture component comes into contact with the switch attached to the lever, the switch sends the actuation signal to the control or regulation apparatus of the ejection device.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of this variant results when this is combined with the second variant of the invention. If the lever has at least a first and a second lever part, it can in fact be provided that the switch has at least two contacts, wherein the first contact is attached to the first lever part and the second contact to the second lever part.

By pressing the movable furniture component into the furniture body, the first lever part resting against the movable furniture component is pushed in the direction of the second lever part, whereby the two contacts touch and close the circuit.

An energy accumulator is preferably arranged between the two lever parts to generate an initial stress.

Alternatively it could also naturally be provided that the switch comprises a push switch which is preferably attached to the free lever end. A two-part design of the lever can be dispensed with in this embodiment.

A further, fourth variant of the invention relates to an ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body with an ejector to eject the movable furniture component, a drive unit, electric in particular, a gear mechanism to transmit power from the drive unit to the ejector and a control or regulation apparatus to control or regulate the drive unit.

In such ejection devices it is frequently desirable to know the position of the ejector, in order for example to be able to configure the ejection profile according to the position. Likewise it can be provided to actuate the ejection device during an initial displacement, caused by a user, of the movable furniture component and thus of the ejector.

It is therefore the object of this variant of the invention to create an ejection device in which the position of the ejector can be established.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the ejection device comprises a potentiometer, wherein the signals from the potentiometer can be fed at least to the control or regulation apparatus, and the actuator of the potentiometer is coupled to the gear mechanism.

Compared with other path-measuring devices, all potentiometers have the advantage that they measure the position of the ejector in absolute terms, hence there is no need to initialize the path-measuring device.

If it is provided that the ejector comprises a lever, it is particularly advantageous if it is further provided that the drive of the gear mechanism is formed in one piece with the lever.

In this case the actuator of the potentiometer can be directly coupled with the lever. This has among other things the advantage that, if it is provided that the gear mechanism comprises a slipping clutch, the position of the lever can be correctly determined in spite of the lever slipping through.

In particular, in the case of a swivellably housed lever in order to avoid a change of movement, it is particularly advantageous if it is provided that the potentiometer is formed as a rotary potentiometer.

A further, fifth variant of the invention relates to an ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body with an ejector to eject the movable furniture component, a specific electric drive unit and a gear mechanism to transmit power from the drive unit to the ejector.

Such ejection devices have the problem that the gear mechanism is frequently damaged as a result of misuse of the ejection device. For example, a user wishing to close ejected movable furniture components often pushes these, with considerable force, in the direction of the furniture body. If the movable furniture component strikes the ejector of the ejection device this force is transmitted to the gear mechanism of the ejection device, which can lead to its destruction in the worst case.

The object of the invention is therefore to create a generic ejection device which does not have this problem.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the gear mechanism comprises a slipping clutch.

If the development of force transmitted by the ejector onto the gear mechanism exceeds a limit value governed by the structure of the slipping clutch, the gear mechanism coupled to the slipping clutch will slip through, which prevents damage being caused to the gear mechanism.

The present invention also relates to an item of furniture with a movable furniture component, in particular drawer or door, with an ejection device according to one of the previously mentioned variants of the invention.

To actuate the ejection device, the attachment of a path-measuring device to or in the item of furniture can be provided, wherein the ejection device can be actuated by the path-measuring device.

In order to allow the simplest possible incorporation into an item of furniture according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if it is provided that the path-measuring device is attached to or in the ejection device.

However, it can also be provided that the path-measuring device is attached to or in the furniture body.

A possible embodiment of the invention which is characterized by its simplicity provides that the path-measuring device comprises a pusher to which pressure can be applied by the movable furniture component.

If the ejection device is to be actuatable by a pull force applied by a user to the movable furniture component, it can advantageously be provided that the path-measuring device has a drive carrier which can be coupled with the movable furniture component.

The path-measuring device can be formed both as an absolute measuring device and as an incremental measuring device.

In the first case the path-measuring device can for example comprise a potentiometer. In the second case the path-measuring device can for example comprise an encoder.

Further features and advantages of the invention can be seen from the following description of the Figures. There are shown in:

FIGS. 1 to 3 representations of an embodiment example of the first variant of the invention in top view and in perspective view, for different positions of the lever of the ejection device,

FIGS. 4 to 5 an embodiment example of the second variant of the invention, in various views,

FIGS. 6 a to 6 d views of an embodiment example of the third variant of the invention,

FIGS. 7 a to 7 d a further embodiment example of the third variant of the invention,

FIGS. 8 to 9 different views of an embodiment example of the fourth variant of the invention,

FIGS. 10 to 11 different views of an embodiment example of the fifth variant of the invention,

FIG. 12 the perspective view of a further embodiment example of an ejection device according to the invention,

FIG. 13 the ejection device shown in FIG. 12, in exploded representation,

FIG. 14 some components of the ejection device represented in FIG. 13, in perspective view and in exploded representation,

FIGS. 15 a to 15 c a sectional representation of a further embodiment example of an ejection device according to the invention,

FIG. 16 an exploded representation of the ejection device represented in

FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 an exploded representation of a further embodiment example of an ejection device according to the invention,

FIGS. 18 a to 18 d an embodiment example of an item of furniture according to the invention,

FIGS. 19 a to 19 c an embodiment example of a path-measuring device in two perspective views and in exploded view,

FIGS. 20 a to 20 c in perspective view a further embodiment example of an ejection device according to the invention and

FIGS. 21 a to 21 c a top view of the ejection device represented in FIG. 20.

FIG. 1 a shows in top view an embodiment example of an ejection device according to the invention 8 which is attached to a furniture body 3 via a bearing rail 19. The ejection device 8 has a swivellably housed 1 ever 4, wherein a first castor 10 is attached to the free lever end 9 and, additionally, a second roller 11, approximately half-way between the articulation point of the lever 4 and the free lever end 9. In the position represented in FIG. 1 a, the movable furniture component 2, of which only the rear panel is represented here, is in its closed end-position in the furniture body 3, as a result of which the lever 4 lies with the second castor 11 against the movable furniture component 2.

FIG. 1 b shows a perspective view of the ejection device 8, wherein with a view to greater clarity, the movable furniture component 2 has not been represented.

In FIG. 2 a the movable furniture component has already been moved by the lever 4 so far from its closed end-position in the furniture body 3 that now also the first castor 10 attached to the free lever end 9 comes into contact with the movable furniture component 2.

FIG. 2 b represents a perspective view of the ejection device 8 in this position.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show the situation shortly before the movable furniture component 2 moves away completely from the lever 4. Lever 4 is now in contact with the movable furniture component 2 via the first castor 10 attached to the free lever end 9, while the second castor 11 is no longer in contact with the movable furniture component 2.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show a lever according to the invention 4 which consists of a first lever part 20 and a second lever part 21. The second lever part 21 is formed in one piece with the drive 17 of a gear mechanism 13, not represented in FIG. 4. A first castor 10 for applying a load on a movable furniture component 2, not represented in FIG. 4, is provided at the free lever end 9 against the first lever part 20. Furthermore, a second castor 11 is arranged approximately in the middle of the lever 4. Arranged between the first lever part 20 and the second lever part 21 is a spring 18 which rests with its one spring end 36 against the second lever part 21 and with its other spring end 37 against the first lever part 20. The first lever part 20 is thereby pre-loaded in relation to the second lever part 21. In this embodiment example a drive wheel 22 is formed against the first lever part 20 for a potentiometer 15, not represented in more detail in FIG. 4, for determining the position of the lever 4.

FIG. 5 c shows the respective positions of the first lever part 20 and of the second lever part 21 when the movable furniture component 2 not represented in FIG. 5 is in its closed end-position. The castor 10 lies against the rear panel of the movable furniture component 2. In FIG. 5 a the second lever part 21 is moved driven via the drive 22 of a gear mechanism 13 not represented in FIG. 5 in order to eject the movable furniture component 2. The first lever part 20 thereby lies against the second lever part 21. The spring 18 supports the ejection process of the movable furniture component 2. FIGS. 5 b and 5 d show perspective views of FIGS. 5 a and 5 c.

FIGS. 6 a to 6 d show a first embodiment example of the third variant of the invention which is characterized by a switch 7 attached to the lever 4. As in the aforementioned embodiment example, the lever 4 has a first lever part 20 for the application of force to a movable furniture component 2 not represented in FIG. 6 and a second lever part 21 which is connected to a drive unit 5, likewise not represented. A spring 25 is arranged between the two lever parts 20, 21. A castor 10 is attached to the first lever part 20. The switch 7 comprises a first contact 27 attached to the first lever part 20 and a second contact 26 attached to the second lever part 21. In the positions represented in FIGS. 6 c and 6 d the two contacts 26, 27 are separated. This corresponds to the inactive position of the switch 7. A user, not represented, moves the furniture component 2, also not represented, in the direction of closure, i.e. into the furniture body 3, not represented. The first lever part 20 is thereby moved against the application of force of the spring 25. The two contacts 26, 27 thereby come into contact, which completes an electrical circuit, not represented in more detail, for reasons of clarity, whereby an actuation signal is relayed to the drive unit 5 over the lines 24.

FIGS. 7 a to 7 d show a second embodiment example of the third variant of the invention, in which the lever 4 is formed in one piece. In this embodiment example the switch 7 is formed as a push switch attached to the free lever end 9.

FIGS. 8 a to 8 c show different embodiment examples of the fourth variant of the invention. A gear mechanism 13 which serves to transmit power from the electric motor 29 to the second lever part 21 is represented. Power is transmitted, via a spindle 35, which cannot be seen in FIG. 8 (but can be seen in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b), the toothed wheel 31, the further toothed wheel 33 and finally the drive 17 of the gear mechanism, which in this embodiment example is formed in one piece with the second lever part 21. According to the invention, in each of FIGS. 8 a to 8 c, a potentiometer 15 (here: rotary potentiometer) is connected to the gear mechanism 13. The potentiometer 15 has three contacts 30 for connecting or tapping electrical current. In the embodiment example represented in FIG. 8 a the potentiometer 15 is connected to the middle stage of the gear mechanism 13 via a common axle. In the embodiment example represented in FIG. 8 b the potentiometer 15 is connected to the toothed wheel 31. In the particularly preferred embodiment example of FIG. 8 c the potentiometer 15 is connected to the second lever part 21.

FIGS. 9 a to 9 c show alternative views to the embodiment examples represented in FIGS. 8 a to 8 c.

FIGS. 10 a to 10 f show an embodiment example of the fifth variant of the invention.

FIG. 10 a shows in a side view a part of a gear mechanism 13 which comprises a slipping clutch 14. In this embodiment example the slipping clutch 14 consists of a spring washer 41 which broadens when disproportionately loaded and slides over the driving dogs 42. This process is represented by means of examples in FIGS. 10 d to 10 f.

FIGS. 10 g to 10 i show in detail representations of this process. FIG. 10 b shows a perspective view of part of gear mechanism 13.

The structure of the part represented in FIGS. 10 a to 10 i of the gear mechanism 13 can be seen in particular in the exploded representation of FIG. 11 b. The toothed wheel 33, the further toothed wheel 32, which is connected in rotation-resistant manner to the spring washer 40, and the driving dogs 42 are arranged on a common pin 23. The driving dogs 42 are fitted conjugately onto the part of the toothed wheel 33 formed as a bolt 43. FIG. 11 a shows a perspective view of the complete gear mechanism 13 which is driven by an electric motor 29 and in turn drives the second lever part 21.

FIG. 12 shows the ejection device 8 represented in FIG. 11 with the first lever part 20 with partly removed casing, attached to a bearing rail 19.

FIG. 13 shows a further exploded representation of the ejection device 8 represented in FIGS. 11 a and 12, wherein all of the casing of the ejection device 8 can also be seen. Furthermore, the arrangement of the potentiometer 15 directly on a plate 44 which houses all the circuits of the ejection device 8, can be seen in FIG. 13. The potentiometer 15 is connected to the gear mechanism 13 via the drive 22 and serves to measure the position of the lever 4. FIG. 14 shows a further exploded representation of the drive mechanism of the represented ejection device 8.

A further embodiment example of an ejection device according to the invention 8 is represented in FIGS. 15 a to 15 c which is characterized in particular by the path-measuring device numbered 38. The path-measuring device 38 has a spring-loaded pusher 39 which can be subjected to pressure by a movable furniture component 2, not represented. In FIG. 15 a, the pusher 39 has been pushed into the housing of the ejection device 8 by the movable furniture component 2, not represented, which triggers the ejection process. This ejection device is represented clearly laid out in FIG. 16 in an exploded representation.

FIG. 17 shows the exploded representation of a further embodiment example of an ejection device according to the invention 8 which differs from the embodiment example represented for example in FIG. 13 only in that one fewer gear mechanism stage is provided.

An item of furniture 1 is represented in FIGS. 18 a to 18 d with a movable furniture component 2 formed as a drawer. A path-measuring device 38 attached to the furniture body 3 which comprises an encoder 45 can be seen. Force can be applied to a pusher 39 by the back of the movable furniture component 2. In the position represented in FIG. 18 a the pusher 39 is pushed in by the movable furniture component 2 which is in its closed end-position. When a user moves the movable furniture component 2 slightly out of its closed end-position, this allows the outward movement of the spring-impacted pusher 39, and this is recorded by the encoder 45. The path-measuring device 38 then issues to an ejection device 8, not represented in FIG. 18, the command to eject the movable furniture component 2.

The path-measuring device 38 shown in FIG. 18 is represented in detail in FIGS. 19 a to 19 c. It can be seen that the pusher 39 is formed to the rear as a toothed rack 46 and engages a pinion 48 connected to the disk 47 of the encoder 45. A spring-loaded stop 49 can also be seen which enables path measurement when a movable furniture component 2 is in its closed end-position when this is pressed for actuation by a user over the remaining play in the direction of the furniture body 3.

A further embodiment example of an ejection device according to the invention 8 is can be seen in FIGS. 20 a to 20 c which is characterized by a potentiometer 15 attached to the furniture body 3. The actuator 16 of the potentiometer 15 is connected to the back of a movable furniture component 2 via a drive carrier 28. The movement of the movable furniture component 2 out of its closed end-position drives the actuator 26 of the potentiometer 15 via the drive carriers 28, whereupon the potentiometer 15 orders the ejection of the movable furniture component 2 by the ejection device 8. This process is represented in FIGS. 21 a to 21 c in a top view. 

1. Ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body, with a swivellably housed lever, wherein a first castor is attached to the free lever end, and wherein a second castor is attached to the lever at a distance from the free lever end.
 2. Ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the second castor is attached to the lever at a distance of approximately half the length of one lever from the free lever end.
 3. Ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body with a swivellably housed lever and an electric drive unit to drive the lever, wherein the lever has at least a first lever part and a second lever part, wherein the first lever part can be brought into contact with the movable furniture component and the second lever part can be driven by the drive unit and the first lever part is coupled, movable to a limited extent, to the second lever part, wherein the first lever part is pre loaded by an energy accumulator in relation to the second lever part.
 4. Ejection device according to claim 3, wherein the first lever part is pre loaded in by a spring in relation to the second lever part.
 5. Ejection device according to claim 3, wherein on the first lever part there is provided a drive wheel for a potentiometer.
 6. Ejection device according to claim 5, wherein the ejection device is provided with a potentiometer and wherein the signals of the potentiometer can be fed at least to the control or regulation apparatus and wherein an actuator of the potentiometer is coupled with the first lever part.
 7. Ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body with a swivellably housed lever to eject the movable furniture component, an electric drive unit to drive the lever and a control or regulation apparatus to control or regulate the drive unit, wherein a switch for the actuation of the ejection device is attached to or in the lever, wherein the signals from the switch can be fed at least to the control or regulation apparatus.
 8. Ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the switch has at least two contacts, wherein the first contact is attached to the first lever part and the second contact to the second lever part.
 9. Ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the switch comprises a push switch.
 10. Ejection device according to claim 9, wherein the push switch is attached to the free lever end.
 11. Ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body with an ejector to eject the movable furniture component, an electric drive unit, a gear mechanism to transmit power from the drive unit to the ejector and a control or regulation apparatus to control or regulate the drive unit, wherein the ejection device comprises a potentiometer, wherein the signals from the potentiometer can be fed at least to the control or regulation apparatus, and the actuator of the potentiometer is coupled to the gear mechanism.
 12. Ejection device according to claim 11, wherein the ejector comprises a lever.
 13. Ejection device according to claim 12, wherein the drive of the gear mechanism is formed in one piece with the lever.
 14. Ejection device according to claim 13, wherein the actuator of the potentiometer is coupled with the lever.
 15. Ejection device according to claim 11, wherein the inner pipe is formed as a rotary potentiometer.
 16. Ejection device for a furniture component housed movable in or against a furniture body with an ejector to eject the movable furniture component, an electric drive unit, and a gear mechanism to transmit power from the drive unit to the ejector, wherein the gear mechanism comprises a slipping clutch.
 17. Item of furniture with a movable furniture component, where there is provided an ejection device according to claim
 1. 18. Item of furniture according to claim 17, wherein a path measuring device is attached to or in the item of furniture and the ejection device can be actuated by the path measuring device.
 19. Item of furniture according to claim 18, wherein the path measuring device is attached to or in the ejection device.
 20. Item of furniture according to claim 18, wherein the path measuring device is attached to or in the furniture body.
 21. Item of furniture according to claim 18, wherein the path measuring device comprises a pusher to which pressure can be applied by the movable furniture component.
 22. Item of furniture according to claim 18, wherein the path measuring device has a drive carrier which can be coupled with the movable furniture component.
 23. Item of furniture according to claim 18, wherein the path measuring device comprises an encoder.
 24. Item of furniture according to claim 18, wherein the path measuring device comprises a potentiometer.
 25. Item of furniture according to claim 18, wherein the path measuring device has a spring loaded stop which enables the path to be measured when a movable furniture component is in its closed end position. 